MFPD tackles graffiti and gang tagging
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MILTON-FREEWATER – City Manager Linda Hall is speaking out about graffiti and gang tagging throughout Milton-Freewater and has announced several interventions are underway.
On June 16, masked suspects broke into Fry’s True Value Hardware Store, 175 S. Main St., and stole more than 40 cans of spray paint. Graffiti artists and taggers then spent a couple of nights defacing buildings and homes all over the city and even spray painted over one of the murals at Freewater Square.
Hall said the city will be doing more plain-clothes patrols. Officers wearing street clothes will be driving unmarked vehicles. Milton-Freewater Police Department Interim Chief Joe Shurtz is also working with his department to organize neighborhood watch groups.
Hall said that since police cannot be everywhere, she encourages everyone to call the police if they see anything suspicious.
“Call in real time,” Hall said. “You’re not bothering us. We need to catch them.” Footage of the June 16 burglary is posted on the city of Milton-Freewater’s Facebook page in hopes of identifying the perpetrators. Anyone with information is asked to call 541-938-5531.
